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Briefings: Can’t Read Their Poker Face…

On Thursday night, the Springfield License Commission continued its deliberations and in doing so delayed a vote on Mayor Domenic Sarno’s 1 a.m. closing proposal for bars in the city.  Sarno’s proposal had been submitted to counter crime, but during a February hearing, it was

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Briefings: Transitions at the Hub of the Universe…

Several Boston media sources report that Thomas Menino, mayor of the capital city for nearly twenty years, will not run for another four year term this November.  The story was originally broken by former Boston Phoenix David Bernstein and by the Dorchester Reporter’s political reporter

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A License to Buzzkill?…

The Springfield License Commission is apparently prepared to render a decision in response to Mayor Domenic Sarno’s call for closing bars at 1 a.m.  A hearing to be held tomorrow night will include a “final decision” on the matter after months of controversy and questions

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No Markup or Takedown this week…

In light of other obligations, we were unable to post a Manic Monday Markup or Tardy Tuseday Takedown this week.  We will try to post this week on some of the important issues that would have appeared.  Probably the Supreme Court.

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Analysis: Every Man a Kingston…

In a bruising and revealing profile of power in Springfield City Hall, The Republican’s Stephanie Barry laid bare the relationship between Mayor Domenic Sarno and political kingpin Charlie Kingston.  Indeed, as Barry wrote, “talk of Kingston’s sway has festered among City Hall insiders for years.”

Take My Council, Please: Amended Complaints…

SPRINGFIELD—Reversing itself fully from a meeting just two weeks ago, the City Council killed an amendment to its historic foreclosure ordinance and with it a settlement to a lawsuit launched shortly after its passage.  The rejection on Monday was arguably the most significant actions taken

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The Sun Also Criticizes…

This post was originally published on 3/17/13 10:27. Its time stamp has been changed to promote it to the top of the site. UPDATED 3/19/13 2:56PM: For grammar. Last Monday, Sunshine Week took some Massachusetts legislators by surprise when they discovered Massachusetts had received a

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Manic Monday Markup 3/18/13…

…And the World: We begin today in the United Kingdom where a press regulation deal has been struck by the main parties in Parliament.  The Guardian reports on the deal which came about after the emergence of the phone-hacking scandal perpetrated by Britain’s tabloids and

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On the Move and On the Agenda for 3/18/13…

UPDATED 3/18/13 5:55PM: For additional details of special permit hearing. The below segment is a preview of key items on the upcoming Springfield City Council agenda.  Full report in “Take My Council, Please” after the meeting. The March 18, 2013 agenda of the Springfield City

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The Phoenix’s Ashes…

The Boston Phoenix, an alternative weekly paper-turned-glossy magazine is shutting down after forty-seven years.  Founded in 1966, the publication was known for its political and culture coverage of Massachusetts and Boston. Boston Magazine had outlined the paper’s struggles in an article last year.  The Phoenix’s